College student survives five days trapped in Grand Canyon after Google Maps error

A university student from Texas who took a wrong turn before her car ran out of petrol made heartbreaking videos to say goodbye to her family.

Amber Venhecke, 24, was hiking solo near the Grand Canyon’s southern rim when her Google Maps told her to take a wrong turn.

“I was panicking and crying and sobbing – I was a mess,” the experienced hiker and solo traveller told ABC US.

“I felt very disconnected from everything and everyone and I thought, ‘is there a search out?’ at some point, that crossed my mind. Apparently there was miscommunication somewhere and no one was looking for me.”

She filmed emotional videos saying goodbye to her family, in case she never saw them again, and survived off the little food and water she had with her.

Ms Venhecke described how she hiked 11 miles to try and find mobile phone reception, leaving a note in her car to inform potential rescuers, but when she finally got through to emergency services she was cut off after just seconds..

She hiked back to her car and made a large ‘help’ sign out of rocks, which was spotted by a helicopter crew.